About the challenge
Telangana is a distinctive meeting point of ancient traditions, folk expression, tribal arts, classical crafts, Deccani heritage and modern innovation. Cinema and digital storytelling offer young creators a powerful way to interpret this living culture and communicate ideas that matter.
Recognising the growing contribution of emerging filmmakers, Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC), Government of Telangana, is organising the Bathukamma – Young Filmmaker’s Challenge 2026 in competitive mode. The initiative encourages original, meaningful work, creates healthy competition and provides recognition for rising filmmakers, musicians, influencers and writers.
The larger purpose is to support meaningful cinema and public-interest storytelling while helping audiences appreciate the art, craft and social value of creative communication.
Creative themes
Public progress
Development and welfare programmes implemented under Praja Palana in Telangana, including Mahalakshmi free bus travel for women, the ₹500 LPG cylinder initiative, Gruha Jyothi, Indiramma housing, Sports University and Young India Residential Schools.
Telangana identity
Telangana’s history, culture, festivals, landscapes, communities and art forms, presented through original and responsible creative expression.
Five competition categories
Short Film
Original short film of up to 3 minutes. Video must be supplied in 4K. Works in languages other than Telugu or Telangana dialects must include English subtitles.
Video Song
Original video song of up to 5 minutes, produced specifically for the challenge and supplied in 4K.
Folk Song
Original folk song of up to 5 minutes celebrating Telangana’s public progress, culture, festivals or art forms.
Influencer Video
An original creator-led digital video. Follow the current technical limits displayed in the FilmFreeway category form while submitting.
Article
An original article of no more than 2 pages. Follow the document-format instructions displayed during submission.
Important dates
Awards and prize money
Based on the announced category prizes, the challenge offers a combined prize pool of ₹25.60 lakh. Selected entries may also receive participation certificates from Telangana Film Development Corporation, Government of Telangana.
| Category | First prize | Second prize | Third prize | Consolation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Film | ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹20,000 each for 5 entries |
| Video Song | ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹20,000 each for 5 entries |
| Folk Song | ₹3,00,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹20,000 each for 5 entries |
| Influencer Video | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹20,000 each for 5 entries |
| Article | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 | — |
How to enter
- Create or sign in to your FilmFreeway account.
- Open the Bathukamma – Young Filmmaker’s Challenge 2026 listing.
- Select the appropriate competition category.
- Upload the entry, declaration and supporting materials required for that category.
- Review the submitted information and complete the free online submission by 1 October 2026.
Rules, eligibility and submission requirements
Core eligibility and production rules
- The team head, whether Director or Producer, must be under 40 years of age.
- Short films and songs must be supplied in 4K video quality.
- Short films and songs must be based only on the published competition concepts.
- Every entry must be original and must not have been streamed, uploaded or publicly screened elsewhere.
- Entries must be created specifically and exclusively for the Bathukamma – Young Filmmaker’s Challenge 2026.
- Short films made in languages other than Telugu or Telangana dialects must include English subtitles.
- The published competition rule requires entrants to grant TGFDC full ownership and rights in submitted short films and songs; the operative scope will be governed by the final declaration accepted during FilmFreeway submission.
- The extended submission deadline is 1 October 2026.
Content standards
- Entries must be the entrant’s original work and must not infringe any third-party rights.
- Entries must be suitable for publication and must not contain indecent, obscene or pornographic material.
- Entries must not contain derogatory language or defamatory statements concerning any person, company, entity or organisation.
- Entries must respect privacy and all applicable rights of individuals and organisations.
- Entries must comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and may use third-party material only where the entrant holds the necessary permissions.
- An entry must not disgrace any caste, creed, colour, culture, person, religion, political party, language, place or country.
The challenge reserves the right to determine eligibility, refuse screening, require the removal of offensive or defamatory content and disqualify entries that do not comply. The jury’s decision is final.
No pre-screening distribution
An entrant must not distribute, upload or screen the complete entry before its official challenge premiere. A promotional trailer of no more than 1 minute may be distributed instead.
Music and sound rights
Teams are encouraged to work with composers and musicians to create original music. Pre-recorded music and sound effects may be used only when the entrant has secured all necessary rights and can provide releases. Identifiable pre-existing compositions, including song parodies, require a signed release from the composition’s rights holder.
Materials checklist
- A functional streaming link to the complete 4K video, where applicable.
- A film poster and five working stills attached to the FilmFreeway profile for film entries.
- A completed and digitally accepted declaration through FilmFreeway.
- Any additional category-specific files requested in the FilmFreeway form.
- Soft-media and physical copies when requested by TGFDC for screening or verification.
All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway. No entry fee is charged.
Entrant declaration
By submitting, the entrant confirms that the rules have been read and followed; the work is original; no ownership dispute exists; the material does not defame or unlawfully invade the rights of any person or community; and the statements supplied are true. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
The entrant gives permission for the work to be presented at the challenge and uploaded on an official government YouTube channel, and accepts the declaration and indemnity presented during the FilmFreeway submission process.
Participation certificate
A selected list of entries across the announced categories will receive participation certificates from Telangana Film Development Corporation, Government of Telangana.
Contact and venue
Competition enquiries
WhatsApp only: +91 81258 34009
Email: youngfilmmakerschallenge@gmail.com
TGFDC Office
H.No. 10-2-1, FDC Complex,
A.C. Guards, Lakdikapool,
Hyderabad, Telangana 500028, India